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City of London – Historical Tour Tour
About the tour
We tell the origin story of the ancient City of London, how it was set apart from Westminster, and why it came to be called the financial capital of the world and the envy of kings.
Telling the story the eyes of its legends and many peoples, we chart the city's unique history and influence, through Celtic, Romans, Saxons, Vikings, and Normans. We conclude with how the mediaeval guild culture went on to challenge the might of Kings to the formation of Parliament and the Bank of England that set the groundwork for a new age.
What you will see
- We introduce the the City of London with the help of this ancient symbol.
- The ancient Roman fort links to a crucial episode of Celtic the people.
- An intersection of a thousand years of history
- 15th-century wall fragment displays Roman foundations topped with Tudor bricks and part of the wall that Alfred the great re-built.
- These ruins tell a suprising chapter of the Vikings.
- Links to the origin parliament and freedom
- The ceremonial and administrative centre where laws were made since ancient times
- The official church of the City that segways into the story of the City got it's ancient rights and prvileges.
- We go inside the remains of the amphitheatre and then tell the story of the City came into power.
- Modeled on the design of the temple of the Goddess vesta is where we setup the conclusion with a story of English Common Law.
- Created 500 years ago by the father of English banking
- We complete the picture of the City's archaic governance structure
- The City's rise to power conclude with another revolution and the formation of the Bank of England
London Wall Pl, Barbican, London EC2Y 5DE
A1211, Barbican, London EC2Y 5AU
St Mary Aldermanbury, Aldermanbury, City of London, London EC2V, United Kingdom
1 Royal Exchange, London EC3V 3DG.
Mansion House, Walbrook, London EC4N 8BH
Threadneedle Street, London, EC2R 8AH
How you can experience this tour
What Our Customers Are Saying
- In somewhat of a leisurely Jules Verne sequence, the tour was a voyage across time. It gave us glimpses of Londinium in present day London. Our tour guide Mr Arjun, a prolific researcher and storyteller, dotted the landscape and ancient buildings with characters, events and turning points. ... More reviewsIn somewhat of a leisurely Jules Verne sequence, the tour was a voyage across time. It gave us glimpses of Londinium in present day London. Our tour guide Mr Arjun, a prolific researcher and storyteller, dotted the landscape and ancient buildings with characters, events and turning points. Through various artefacts, he traced the origins of the financial capital of the world, and innumerable quests for power and influence. This was a very informative and thought-provoking tour and I would highly recommend it! read less
Aditi11/03/2024A unique perspective on the role the dragon Arjun has an incredible understanding and unique perspective on the role the dragon has played throughout history in conjunction with the cosmos. He shows you what most would miss in plain sight which gives you a new understanding and perspective of history and yourself as a human being. I would... More reviewsArjun has an incredible understanding and unique perspective on the role the dragon has played throughout history in conjunction with the cosmos. He shows you what most would miss in plain sight which gives you a new understanding and perspective of history and yourself as a human being. I would definitely recommend this tour! read less Jacob10/24/2024The best of all the city walks I did so far. I had a wonderful afternoon with Arjun! One afternoon full of surprises, joy, knowledge and discovery! The best of all the city walks I did so far. Arjun is such a great person, he gives an overall and complete explanation of historical background, and still can focus on one or... More reviewsI had a wonderful afternoon with Arjun! One afternoon full of surprises, joy, knowledge and discovery! The best of all the city walks I did so far. Arjun is such a great person, he gives an overall and complete explanation of historical background, and still can focus on one or two subjects with precision, really good job ! I discovered the city and learned a lot from all points of view, will come back to the places he showed me today. Thank you very much Arjun, it is a perfect afternoon!
read less Julie4/01/2024 - Excellent We thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Arjun. He was very knowledgeable, we learned so much from him on a fascinating topic. I really liked how well thought out the tour was, you could tell how each stop along the tour built on the previous, building a full picture in our... More reviewsWe thoroughly enjoyed the tour with Arjun. He was very knowledgeable, we learned so much from him on a fascinating topic. I really liked how well thought out the tour was, you could tell how each stop along the tour built on the previous, building a full picture in our heads by the end of the tour. I have already recommended this tour to friends, we'll definitely be back for more tours with Arjun. read less Daryl Elliott10/19/2024City of London Historical Free Walking Tour Arjun was an excellent guide. He was very welcoming since the very beginning, and made sure everything was perfect all along the tour. The historical explanation was fantastic, it showed he is really passionate about it. We would definetly recommend booking this tour to get to know how Londinium was... More reviewsArjun was an excellent guide. He was very welcoming since the very beginning, and made sure everything was perfect all along the tour. The historical explanation was fantastic, it showed he is really passionate about it. We would definetly recommend booking this tour to get to know how Londinium was founded and got to be "The City" nowadays. Thanks for all, Arjun! read less Janire2/02/2026Another lens in which to view London's history I went with my family (two adults, two children age 16 and 14) and we all loved this tour. We learned lots of London history, and were also helped to see some shared ancestorial connections with other cities/countries, too. These show up in repeated shapes, forms and symbols scattered around... More reviewsI went with my family (two adults, two children age 16 and 14) and we all loved this tour. We learned lots of London history, and were also helped to see some shared ancestorial connections with other cities/countries, too. These show up in repeated shapes, forms and symbols scattered around the old City of London, most of which I'd never know to notice before. I particularly liked the pace of this tour, and that there was a lovely balance of exciting mysticism with real history. It was a mind/body/spirit exercise, with a wonderful guide who you can see loves his work. We enjoyed a peaceful, thoughtful afternoon and can recommend this tour wholeheartedly! read less Christy9/14/2024
- Nous n’avons pas vu le temps passer et j’en garderai un très bon souvenir La visite était super intéressante et le guide très cultivé ! J’ai trouvé qu'il était assez facile de le comprendre même quand on est pas bilingue, mais il y avait quand même du vocabulaire un peu technique par moments. Nous sommes passés par des endroits insolites et avons pu comprendre... More reviewsLa visite était super intéressante et le guide très cultivé ! J’ai trouvé qu'il était assez facile de le comprendre même quand on est pas bilingue, mais il y avait quand même du vocabulaire un peu technique par moments. Nous sommes passés par des endroits insolites et avons pu comprendre l’histoire et l’origine des dragons de Londres, c'était très chouette ! Nous n’avons pas vu le temps passer et j’en garderai un très bon souvenir
read less Gwen1/01/2025Beautiful! We had an amazing time on a walking tour exploring London’s historical and mystical sites. Arjul was an exceptional guide, combining his deep knowledge with an engaging storytelling style that made the city’s past feel alive.
What stood out the most was the way Arjul encouraged us to notice the small,... More reviewsWe had an amazing time on a walking tour exploring London’s historical and mystical sites. Arjul was an exceptional guide, combining his deep knowledge with an engaging storytelling style that made the city’s past feel alive.
What stood out the most was the way Arjul encouraged us to notice the small, often overlooked details—each one holding its own story or significance. His ability to weave together history and mystery was both fascinating and inspiring.
The tour offered a perfect mix of insight and intrigue, leaving us with a newfound appreciation for London. If you’re looking for a guide who will open your eyes to the city in a completely new way, we highly recommend this tour. read less D. Bruno11/18/2024City of London - historical walking tour Having been way from London for 20 years, we were surprised and delighted at all the places we saw and the history we hadn't know was underfoot. Arjun had done an enormous amount of research to cleverly lead us through from Celts and Romans to modern day, explaining how the... More reviewsHaving been way from London for 20 years, we were surprised and delighted at all the places we saw and the history we hadn't know was underfoot. Arjun had done an enormous amount of research to cleverly lead us through from Celts and Romans to modern day, explaining how the financial city had evolved. Would highly recommend this tour for tourists and Londoners alike. read less Jane Inge11/06/2024 - His knowledge was extensive on esoteric City of London Wow! Arjun didn't fail to deliver. His knowledge was extensive on esoteric City of London, I could tell a lot of research had gone into it. I felt a sense of stepping back in time and adventuring through history. What I discovered on this tour was unique and unlike any... More reviewsWow! Arjun didn't fail to deliver. His knowledge was extensive on esoteric City of London, I could tell a lot of research had gone into it. I felt a sense of stepping back in time and adventuring through history. What I discovered on this tour was unique and unlike any other tour I've been on, it went deeper. I shall be trying out his other tours next chance I get!
read less Connie8/01/2024The guide was telling a story, rather than just reciting historical information Booked this tour yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The tour guide took us through an in depth history of the City of London teaching us several things I hadn't known before, which was intriguing. The tour was conducted as if the guide was telling a story, rather than just reciting... More reviewsBooked this tour yesterday, and thoroughly enjoyed it. The tour guide took us through an in depth history of the City of London teaching us several things I hadn't known before, which was intriguing. The tour was conducted as if the guide was telling a story, rather than just reciting historical information. The sights themselves were for the most part easy on the eye and full of history, including places such as the guildhall art gallery and st Lawrence jewry church. We concluded at the bank of England where the guide explained in depth the symbolism of the twelve ornate lampposts in the square, each one representing one of the twelve most important ancient guilds of the City. Would highly recommend! read less Nico7/01/2024Excellent, interesting tour! This tour took us back in time to pre-1000 AD with the London Stone, through history and artifacts from dragons to phoenixes to churches. We learned about Druids and Romans at a pace we could take it all in. Our tour guide, Argent, was very knowledgeable and kept this moving... More reviewsThis tour took us back in time to pre-1000 AD with the London Stone, through history and artifacts from dragons to phoenixes to churches. We learned about Druids and Romans at a pace we could take it all in. Our tour guide, Argent, was very knowledgeable and kept this moving at a comfortable pace while explaining how various things: water, rivers, grounding, and artifacts are all tied together in the quest for spiritual growth. A very worthwhile afternoon! Excellent, thought provoking conversations. read less Roger6/13/2023 - Mystical London Excellent and very interesting tour that fits its descriptive, with an amazing and erudite guide! We had fascinating, deep and multi-layered conversations around the exploration of what is hidden in plain sight. I am very much looking forward for Arjun to create his next tour and continue to discover London... More reviewsExcellent and very interesting tour that fits its descriptive, with an amazing and erudite guide! We had fascinating, deep and multi-layered conversations around the exploration of what is hidden in plain sight. I am very much looking forward for Arjun to create his next tour and continue to discover London that way!
read less Sandra11/23/2023Hidden and Forgotten Symbols If you enjoy rediscovering hidden symbols that may have been forgotten or lost this tour is for you. The tour is conducted by Arjun who has done a lot of research to find the hidden or lost meanings behind everyday things that we may walk by without noticing. The tour... More reviewsIf you enjoy rediscovering hidden symbols that may have been forgotten or lost this tour is for you. The tour is conducted by Arjun who has done a lot of research to find the hidden or lost meanings behind everyday things that we may walk by without noticing. The tour will awaken your mind and spirit to different ideas and perspectives. Truly a hidden gem amongst tours.
read less Cynthia12/23/2023A new persepctive on London but to sites rich in history and symbolism. Arjun led a fantastic tour. Both my wife and I had visited London before but Arjun's tour gave us not only a new persepctive on London but to sites rich in history and symbolism. We saw several sites unknown to many guidebooks. He was very knowledgable and a fantastic storyteller.... More reviewsArjun led a fantastic tour. Both my wife and I had visited London before but Arjun's tour gave us not only a new persepctive on London but to sites rich in history and symbolism. We saw several sites unknown to many guidebooks. He was very knowledgable and a fantastic storyteller. Highly recommend the tour for history buffs, myth lovers and lay people alike. read less Sasha2/04/2025 - The best tour we've ever been on! Arjun's knowledge and detail throughout the tour was excellent. He listened to our questions intently and provided such rich information about all the different sites across the tour amazingly well. It was a great afternoon of insights, conversation and inspiration to learn more about the incredible history and hidden stories... More reviewsArjun's knowledge and detail throughout the tour was excellent. He listened to our questions intently and provided such rich information about all the different sites across the tour amazingly well. It was a great afternoon of insights, conversation and inspiration to learn more about the incredible history and hidden stories all around us. Thanks so much for this tour Arjun, we will be recommending this tour to our friends and family and will likely be coming on another one of DragonLore's tours very soon. Thanks a lot! read less Kobina Elliott10/19/2024A very entertaining guided walk by Arjun A very entertaining guided walk by Arjun who has a deep and extensive knowledge of the subject and of the history and geography of the City of London. I was born in Central London and have worked in the area covered by the tour, but I was unaware of much... More reviewsA very entertaining guided walk by Arjun who has a deep and extensive knowledge of the subject and of the history and geography of the City of London. I was born in Central London and have worked in the area covered by the tour, but I was unaware of much of that which Arjun discussed and showed me. For example, I was unaware of the existence the London Stone which I used to regularly walk past. I can thoroughly recommend Arjun as a guide. read less Keith9/30/2024Well researched, interesting, adventurous ! The London Mystical Tour was the best tour I did so far :) Arjun is such a kind guide and seems to be born as an encyclopaedia cause he could tell a well researched, profound story to everything we were interested in on the way. What stuck out to me... More reviewsThe London Mystical Tour was the best tour I did so far :) Arjun is such a kind guide and seems to be born as an encyclopaedia cause he could tell a well researched, profound story to everything we were interested in on the way. What stuck out to me as well, has been his great passion and interest in the content of the tour. I enjoyed to learn the meaning and background of commonly used symbols in buildings and recognize them anywhere else in architecture and art now :)) read less Sophie4/11/2025
